JANAKPURDHAM: After a preliminary investigation into the murder of Nirmala Goit, who was burned alive to death, police have revealed that her husband Mukesh Goit had committed the crime to hide his illicit relationship with sister-in-law.

According to Dhanusha Police Chief Shekhar Khanal, Mukesh had sprinkled petrol and set his wife on fire as the couple had a troubled relationship due to Mukesh's extramarital affairs, on April 18.

Subsequently, Mukesh, a native of Chariya Tole in Shahidnagar Municipality-1 of Dhanusha district, fled the scene, Khanal added.

Mukesh had an affair with his sister-in-law, Shyama Devi, and continued even after getting married to Nirmala Goit. One day, Nirmala caught her husband red-handed, after which their relationship turned sour, according to police.

On the day of the incident, Mukesh had gone to Shyama Devi's shop to buy petrol to burn his spouse's clothes. However, Mukesh acted according to Shyama's instruction, being in love with her, according to police.

Police have also arrested Shyama Devi for her alleged involvement in the case.

Unfortunately, Nirmala, who had sustained more than 70 per cent burns, succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at Kirtipur-based Nepal Cleft and Burn Centre on April 29.

Meanwhile, police are preparing to file a murder case against Mukesh and Shyama Devi.